Monthly Archives: April 2012

After graduation, I started sailing with AMO, as 3rd Assistant on the USNS Soderman. I broke her out of the yard in Nassco so I am an official plank owner on that ship. I sailed 3rd and 2nd Assistant on her for about 4 years. I then switched over to the commercial side of Maersk and worked on slow speed diesels for about 4 years doing the containership thing as 3rd and 2nd Assistant. April of 2009 I was offered my first 1st Assistant job on the USNS Watkins, back on the Gas Turbine LMSRs. Now I am the 1st Assistant on the USNS Watson, another Gas Turbine LMSR. I received my Chief Engineers License in 2010, but right now am totally satisfied as first assistant. It’s a great job. Right now we are in Drydock in Bayonne, NJ.

At home, I married Stephanie in July 2004. We are big into cycling and rode our bikes with a group from Bar Harbor, ME to Niagara Fallas, NY (932 mi). We will be riding around New Mexico when I get home in May approx 700 mi.

We welcomed our first child, Kathryn Scholten Willis on August 10, 2011. She is doing well starting to crawl around and starting to talk a little.

Joe also got promoted to Lieutenant Commander in the Navy Reserve, and is hoping that if his ship is still stateside in September he’ll be able to make the trip to NY for Homecoming.

We’d like to profile the entire class in the months leading up to the reunion, in order to give everyone a chance to see what we’ve all been up to. If your interested please send us an email letting us know what adventures you’ve been on, and where life has taken you over the past decade. or head to the Vessel Registry to provide us your contact information and we’ll reach out to you. Include some pictures or video. We look forward to hearing from all of you!

The Naval Air Forces Pacific Fleet Junior Ship Handler of the Year award was bestowed on King’s Point alumnus Lieutenant Zachary Brown, who currently serves as Assistant Navigator of the 103,300 ton, 1,092 aircraft carrier USS Stennis. LT Brown was selected by his command to represent all aircraft carriers stationed on the West Coast.

“It is a great honor to win this award in such a distinguished field of ship handlers,” said Brown. “I’m sure that it was incredibly tough to pick a winner.”

Now that tax day has arrived and some are flush with sweet refund checks from the U.S. Treasury, it would be a great time to head over to the donation page on the Alumni Association’s website. While the GSA is having million dollar Las Vegas shindigs, things are tight at KP. The class of 2002 can do a lot to support the various activities that have given us so many great memories. Skip the dollar donation to the presidential campaign fund, and instead make a donation towards the class gift.

For those that didn’t see the announcement on facebook or the alumni newsletter the other day we have some new information.

For all those married at Kings Point Chapel, or those wishing you were married there, Here is your opportunity. The USMMA Alumni Foundation will be hosting an anniversary celebration and renewal of wedding vows. Fr. Dave Berlotti ’82 with Fr. Ron Camarda ’81 will celebrate the 1000 Catholic Mass followed by renewal of wedding vows. Protestant service and renewal will be at 1130 followed by a Jewish ceremony at 1300. Lunch will be provided in Wiley Hall, the drill team, members of the regimental band and bagpipers will perform, and the Chapel’s Golden Jubilee ceremony will follow. Grad’s and non-grads are welcome.

Here’s a draft agenda for the moment:::

Mariner Chapel 50th Anniversary Celebration

Sunday, April 29, 2012

1000 – Catholic services and renewal of vows

1130 – Protestant services and renewal of vows

1130-1330 Lunch in Wiley Hall

1300-1400 Jewish service and renewal of vows

1400 – Entertainment by drill team, bag-piper, etc.

1430 Welcome by AAF

Superintendent Welcome

Chaplain Welcome and Invocation

History of Chapel

Old Testament Reading/Song

Chapel Reflections – Steve Turner ’61

New Testament Reading/Song

Featured Speakers

FATHER Ron Camarda ‘81

FATHER David Bertolitti ‘82

Gospel Reading/Song

Chapel Reflections – current midshipman (TBA)

Memorial

Taps

Eternal Father Hymn

Thank you/Dismissal

Benediction

Alma Mater Song

1630 Dessert/Coffee – Wiley Hall

Please RSVP to Lisa Donitz if you plan to renew your vows and attend the luncheon (lisa.donitz@alumni.usmma.edu or 516-773-5658). Make sure to let her know which Religious Service you would be interested in attending. You do not need to be a graduate to participate in the ceremonies.